Author: Rosa Pryer

Hello everyone! Hoping all is well with you and your family. Hoping that you are safe and healthy during this Coronavirus Pandemic. I understand and know that this year Father’s Day will be different than any other Father’s Day you have ever live through, but there is a rainbow at the end of this tunnel. Normally I would suggest that the children, grand-children; nephews, nieces, wives or the significant other take their loved one out to dinner to his favorite eatery, take him to a jazz or music concert or like my husband, give him a few hundred dollars to go to the casino, but I am not suggesting any of the above. As far as I am concerned it is too dangerous to do any of that right now. Instead you can first get a very special card dedicated to him with a little “something-something” in it; maybe buy him that favorite tool or lawn equipment he has been hinting around about all year or surprise him with that wide screen television he has been talking about to put into his man-cave. You can fix his favorite meal or if he is a seafood lover, you can surprise him with a family and close friends crab feast cook-out in your backyard, but it is mandatory that everyone should wear a mask unless they are eating and honor social distance.

If you wish good food carry-out only for right now, than I suggest Colin’s Seafood & Grill owned by Dante at his second location, 1728 E. Northern Parkway in the Loch Raven Shopping Center. He will open for full services soon. Call 443-708-1680 to put your order in. He also caters for special events, such as Father’s Day. You don’t have to cook— the will do it for you and deliver. Dante, I am looking for your Grand-Opening of your new restaurant and congratulations.

Remember stay safe if you choose to go out to the public places that are opening up this week, please protect yourself, wear your mask and gloves.

Enjoy this Father’s Day Weekend!

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Walter Carr, Jr.

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Bryant Haysbert

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Cleve Brister

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Gamel “DJ MEL” Moore

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Dr. Marcelina Albuerne

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Dwight Pettit

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James “Big Jim” Staton

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Judson Hughes

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Kweisi MFume

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Larry Gibson

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Lenny Moore

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Michael Haynie

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Travis Winky

Hello everyone, I know when you look at these photos you may think that the “Rambling Rose” column has changed into an obituary column. No fear, I promise that is not happening. It was Memorial Day weekend, and since it is impossible for me to name all of our friends and your friends and family members that we have lost in the recent months and days, I thought I will stick with the entertainment side. Entertainment is really my professional thing, so I want to acknowledge some of the people/artist, who we know you may be familiar with who has recently passed away.

To all my readers and followers who have lost someone since this terrible coronavirus pandemic started, please know that you and your family are in my prayers. Hopefully we can get pass all of this terrible situation and began to smile and just remember your loved one in a positive way, remember the good times; think of something about them that will put a smile on your face.

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Whit Williams, another friend and musician passed away May 21, 2020. He was such a gentlemen. He was a legendary saxophonist, educator, composer and arranger. He lived in Baltimore and was a part of the jazz scene for many years. In 1981, he founded the “Whit Williams’ Now’s the Time Big Band” and the group performed with Aretha Franklin and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In 2008, he released the album, “The Whit Williams Now’s The Time,” featuring Slide Hampton and Jimmy Heath. My condolences to his family and his music family.

Even though some of our counties and our state has opened in some situations, the Covid-19 has still caused the cancellations of jazz and music festivals that we would normally attend this time of the year. It’s disappointing news for the state of Rhode Island. The Newport Folk and Jazz Festival that was set to take place at Fort Adams this summer, has been canceled. All ticket holders for this festival have the option of a 100% full refund if desired. The Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals were created by George Wein (now 94 years old) in 1994 and 1959 respectively. These festivals are two of the largest running music festivals in history.

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Kevin Barnes, a member of Jimmy Briscoe & the Little Beavers passed away May 14, 2020. Kevin sang baritone for the famous recording group. The group members were Jimmy Briscoe, Stanford Stansberry, Kevin Barnes, Maurice Pulley, and Robert Markins were the original Jimmy Briscoe & the Little Beavers. Bobby Finch replaced Markins in 1977. Condolences to his family.

The 2020 Hampton Jazz Festival known for bringing the best of jazz, blues, soul, and R&B to Hampton Roads has announced that it is also canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and has been postponed until June 2021. Refunds will be issued automatically for those purchased online through Ticketmaster. Refunds for tickets purchased at the box office can be obtained by returning the purchased tickets once the office opens up to the public.

The 28th Annual Capital Jazz Fest, originally scheduled for June 5-7, 2020 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland has been postponed. This is one of my favorite festivals. Each year in early June, tens of thousands of music lovers from throughout the country flock to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. to attend “the jazz festival with soul”; The Capital Jazz Fest started in 1993, this multi-day multi-stage outdoor music festival, which attracts music lovers nationwide, is more than just a concert, it’s an event! It’s a place to people-watch, eat drink, shop, mingle, relax, soak in the rays, make new friends, and of course hear some of the coolest jazz and soul music on the planet. In-between musical sets, enjoy fine art and crafts at the Festival Marketplace, culinary treats at the food court, and meet & greet the artists. Hopefully next year we all can be there.

The 2020 French Quarter Festival and Satchmo Summerfest have also been officially canceled. Satchmo Summerfest, a celebration of the legacy of New Orleans native Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, is generally the first week of August at the Old U.S. Mint. The free French Quarter Festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of attendees every year with a program consisting almost entirely of south Louisiana musicians.

We try not to ever miss the New Orleans Festivals. My “Boo-Boo” and I go every year to these festivals to cover the exciting events for my “Rambling Rose”column. . We love New Orleans, it is always full of life, fun, live entertainment on every street corner and happy people. Now, the new 2021 dates for the festivals are April 8-11 for French Quarter Festival and July 30-August 1, 2021 for Satchmo Summerfest. The French Quarter Festival followed the same path as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Essence Festival of Culture and the Buku Music + Art Project.

Oh well, I know I should be trying to put a smile on your face and talking about something positive, but this were the cards I was dealt. So in the meantime, stay strong, safe and healthy. And remember, if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.

Hello everyone. I hope if you are reading my column now that you are safe and healthy from this nasty Cronavirus. Those of you who have lost someone to COVID-19 please except my condolences to you and your family. I know everything is such a mess right now but please continue to follow the rules: wear your mask and stay at least six feet from people in public places. “The Fat Lady Is Not Singing Yet!”

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Shirley Duncan, Baltimore’s Hand Dance Queen celebrates her 70th birthday this week. She feels very blessed and says thank you for all the good wishes. “Happy Birthday Shirley!”

There are so many of our jazz and music festivals and annual shows have canceled because of this COVID-19 Pandemic. I will inform you about a few. With the COVD-19 pandemic continuing to evolve unpredictably and in accordance with state guidance on large gatherings we have been stripped of our fun time in the live music world.

It’s disappointing news from the state of Rhode Island. The Newport Folk and Jazz Festival that was set to take place at Fort Adams this summer has been canceled. All ticket holders for the festival have the option to receive a full refund if desired. The Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals were created by George Wein (now 94 years old) in 1994 and 1959 respectively. These Festivals are two of the largest running music festivals in history!

The 2020 Hampton Jazz Festival known for bringing the best of jazz, blues, soul and R&B to Hampton Roads has been canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic and has been rescheduled for June 2021. Refunds will be issued automatically to anyone who purchased their tickets online through Ticketmaster. Refunds for tickets purchased at the box office can be obtained by returning the purchased tickets once the office opens up to the public.

The 28th Annual Capital Jazz Fest, originally scheduled for June 5-7, 2020 at the Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, Maryland has been postponed. This is one of my favorite festivals. Each year in early June, tens of thousands of music lovers from throughout the country flock to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. to attend “the jazz festival with soul.” Started in 1993, The Capital Jazz Fest, a multi-day, multi-stage outdoor music festival, which attracts music lovers nationwide, is more than just a concert— it’s an event! It’s a place to people-watch, eat, drink, shop, mingle, relax, soak in the rays, make new friends, and of course hear some of the coolest jazz and soul music on the planet. In-between musical sets, enjoy fine art and crafts at the Festival Marketplace, culinary treats at the food court, and meet & greet the artists. Hopefully next year we all can be there.

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A good friend for many years, Bootsie Barnes, well-known saxophonist who was loved and played with many of our local musicians in the Baltimore/Washington, DC area, but was from Philly died April 22, 2020 from COVID-19.

The 2020 French Quarter Festival and Satchmo Summerfest have also been officially canceled. Satchmo Summerfest, a celebration of the legacy of New Orleans native Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, is generally the first week of August at the Old U.S. Mint. The free French Quarter Festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of attendees every year with a program consisting almost entirely of south Louisiana musicians. We try not to ever miss the New Orleans Festivals, my “Boo Boo” and I go every year for these festivals to cover the exciting events for my column, “Rambling Rose.” We love New Orleans! The city is always full of life, fun and happy people. The 2021dates for the festivals are scheduled April 8-11 for French Quarter Festival and July 30-August 1 for Satchmo SummerFest. The French Quarter Festival followed the same path as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Essence Festival of Culture and the Buku Music + Art Project.

Oh well, I know I should be trying to put a smile on your face and talking about something positive, but this were the cards I was dealt. So in the meantime, stay strong, safe and healthy. And remember, if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.

Hello everyone, I truly hope you and your family are well. This is a terrible situation. Yes, this terrible and scary that COVID-19 has shut all of our entertainment down. No more daytime parties with our DJs; no more concerts; jazz shows; cabarets or social events of any kind.

There are no churches or casinos to go to relax our nerves. We can’t bury our loved ones or have a wedding. But ladies and gentlemen, take my word for it— this too shall pass. In the meantime we must follow the rules.

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— DJ Christopher “Sugar Chris” Tittle found a way to continue to entertain us during this Cronavirus Pandemic. He will be live for “Happy Hour Party Mix Live” on Facebook on Fridays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

I must say, as an entertainment writer/columnist this is out of my lane. You know me, if it doesn’t sing, dance or play an instrument, I am lost.

To all my readers and fans of “Rambling Rose,” please stay home. If you have to go out, protect yourself with gloves and a mask. We have been hearing a lot of things from the news and they say the symptoms show up as respiratory issues—fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties and in more severe cases pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. So please be safe, take care of yourself and try to stay healthy.

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Lexington Market Entertainment Director Kimberly “Kim Cummings overlooking the new on-going renovations of Lexington Market. There will be many changes including the relocation of the entertainment arcade.

It seems that some of the preventive measures you can take are: regular hand washing; covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; thoroughly cooking any meat/eggs; and avoiding contact with anyone who shows symptoms of respiratory illnesses such as coughing or sneezing.

Some of my musicians have found a way to still entertain us by going on Facebook Live and performing in their homes. Some DJ’s are spinning your favorite records from their own private studios. I think this is wonderful and I am very happy about that. I am worried though, about my readers who don’t have the technology— computers or smart phones— to see this. So my suggestion to them is to turn on your television and find the channels that offer music shows just for you.

Well, my dear friends, be safe, stay home and pray this mess will be over soon. I am still laughing at Ms Maybelle’s homemade coronavirus-free, supermarket mask.

Remember if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.